Every year, I buy at least three boxes of greeting cards: one for the kids, with Santas, reindeer and snowmen with goofy expressions; one for my religious friends, with traditional Christian greetings and/or pictures of baby Jesus; and a third that’s as generic as possible (think sleighs, snow, and “Happy Holidays”).
You may be thinking, “Ah, that Polimom. Such a Politically Correct über-liberal”.
Nope. That’s not it at all.
I do things this way because the people to whom I send cards aren’t strangers; they’re friends and family — folks who have some meaning in my life. If I’m going to greet them in the spirit of this holiday season, it seems (to me) that the least I can do is respect their personal convictions.
Otherwise, why bother with a personal howdy?
My goal this time of year is to reach out across time and space and say, “I’m thinking of you during the holidays. I hope all is well with you and yours, and that everything you hold dear this time of year gives you joy and peace.”
Feel free to correct me here, but I’m guessing this time of year is a warm fuzzy for lots of people. People tend to be friendlier, with strangers smiling and exchanging greetings in places they might not at other times of year.
So why, when a stranger reaches across the empty air with a twinkle and greeting, would someone take offense if it’s offered from their own perspective? They don’t know you, but still wish you well. That’s bad?
If you tell me “Merry Christmas”, have you not given me a verbal greeting card? I think you have, and I’m going to respond in kind. There’s nothing scary or insulting hidden behind that, and it shouldn’t matter to you — or me — whether I’m Christian, Jewish… or a Druid.
Likewise, if somone I don’t know says “Happy Holidays” to me, I can guarantee you I’ll come right back with something along the same vein.
No harm, no foul. Just good wishes, all the way around.
I look forward to hearing “Merry Christmas” in public, because it allows me to respond to someone on their own terms — a verbal version of my many boxes of cards.
And it costs us nothing. Not even a stamp.
Don’t get hung up on the small stuff.